On August 28, when Bhuvneshwar Kumar took 4-26 to play a key role in India’s thrilling five-wicket win over Pakistan’s historic rivals in the Asian Cup in Dubai, few thought that, just a month away from the end of their opener of the T20 World Cup 2022 against the same opponents, India’s only “specialist T20” pitcher would become a major concern of India.
In three of India’s last four games, Bhuvneshwar was taken to the laundry on the penultimate over. Everything he tried – Yorker, wide Yorker, slower ball, brass knuckle ball or a bouncer – failed, as he ended up becoming cannon fodder for hitters waiting to pounce on his friendly average pace.
In the Super 4 match of the Asian Cup, Pakistan needed 26 over 2, when the 32-year-old suffered 19 in the 19th over, finally finishing 0-40 in 4 over. In the next Super 4 match of India’s Asia Cup, Sri Lanka needed 21 over 2, when Bhuveshwar went 14 in the 19th over. This time, the seasoned activist went 0-30 in 4 overs. In both games, Arshdeep Singh had the unfair task of defending just 7 in the over final, which the youngster attempted bravely.
At Mohali in the first T20I against India on Tuesday night, Australia needed 55 out of 4 overs when Bhuvi was called up. This time, Mathew Wade threw a “party” at his expense, taking 15 from his 17th and 16 from his 19th. Bhuvneshwar’s figures made reading 4-0-52-0 sad, the first time he suffered more than 50 in a T20I.
Of course, legend of the joke Sunil Gavaskar stressed the poor shape of Bhuvneshwar as an “area of concern” for India team. “We didn’t actually play well. It’s a real concern. When someone like a Bhuvneshwar Kumar makes so many runs every single time, when he should play well, in 18 deliveries in three games against which India lost Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Australia gave away 49 points, which is almost three points per ball, ”Gavaskar told India Today.
“Saying this once again only uses Bhuvi for one overs in the last 5 overs,” tweeted former Indian-turned-to-all-rounder Irfan Pathan.
By saying this again he uses Bhuvi only for an over in the last 5 over.
– Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) 1663694158000
Point taken. However, the concern here is if Bhuvneshwar doesn’t have the pace or feel to survive the last three overs, will it be possible for India to only use it in Powerplay overs?
The problem with India’s current “pace” bout, which is part of the 15 for the World Cup, is that minus Bumrah, there is no “pace”, unlike Pakistan, where substitute fast pitchers are also in the area of over 140.
“I feel our current bowling bout, especially Bhuvneshwar, Harshal and Arshdeep, will be hammered in the T20 World Cup in Australia and we won’t win any games. I don’t know why the boys like it. Muhammad Shami (is part of the reserves in the squad of the World Cup in India), Mohammed Siraj and Umran Malik were excluded from the World Cup squad. In Australia, you need someone who shoots above 140km / h, something all these three men can do, while maintaining accuracy and swinging the ball “, former Indian sailor Karsan Ghavri told TOI.
While his current form may have dwindled, there’s no question about Bhuvneshwar’s fabulous track record in T20Is: In 78 games, he took 84 wickets at an average of 22.35, with his economy rate of a superb 6. , 95.
That is why Bhuvneshwar still has its supporters. “I don’t think there is anything wrong with him. Bowling in the UAE and India is different from bowling in Australia where he will have a good rebound. He is still a good choice because he is capable of taking wickets in early overs. , and that’s what India wants. He’s a proven bowler and has the caliber to bounce back, “said former Indian pacer Raju Kulkarni.
